Will Matthew Thatchuk play the year with the flames?

[jg13]

Have to think he plays.

He's our #1 prospect and a lot of people had Shinkaruk penciled in prior to the draft.

He's also most likely physically ready

[dino7c]

would have to see the camp roster first

[sureLoss]

FWIW Craig Button believes Matthews, Laine, Pulju, and Tkachuk are the 4 most NHL ready forward prospects in the draft

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

Don't think so, no need to rush him. If he plays his ass off in the first 10 games then who knows. Really happy he's ours though. Didn't think he would fall to 6th. Flames have been lucky picking 6th so far.

How have we been lucky picking 6th? We've picked 6th once this millennium prior to this year and 2 of our last 3 picks at 6th have been busts.

[dammage79]

If he slams home some serious work with a skating coach over the summer. Yeah I think you can pencil Tkachuk into the lineup. He has the mass and height already. And if his hockey sense is as great as is being promoted, easy task to make the team.

[djsFlames]

I say yes. Only because he's absolutely lit up Jrs for two seasons now. He can't learn much else down there. Therefore, if he can outplay some vets...well why not.

[Shazam]

Monahan had the same concerns about his skating.

These days even an average NHL skater seems to be a flying monster.

The two guys doing the draft certainly seemed convinced that Tkachuk would make whatever team drafted him.

[Locke]

The only thing I know about Tkachuk is that eventually we'll trade him as a rental and re-sign him and then rinse and repeat. Its a family tradition.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Monahan had the same concerns about his skating.

These days even an average NHL skater seems to be a flying monster.

The two guys doing the draft certainly seemed convinced that Tkachuk would make whatever team drafted him.

Yup, and he worked on it all summer to make the team out of camp.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Locke

The only thing I know about Tkachuk is that eventually we'll trade him as a rental and re-sign him and then rinse and repeat. Its a family tradition.

Are we eventually allowed to call him Tkachunky?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Are we eventually allowed to call him Tkachunky?

Hopefully not. I mean...it might happen, but at the moment we do want him to be a good player for us and these two things are mutually exclusive. If it happens it happens though.

[Shazam]

When did Keith start getting fat? I just remember being shocked seeing him so... wide on the ice and not playing goal.

[sureLoss]

confidence

Kristen Odland @Kristen_Odland
Treliving on sitting with Tkachuk in his office a few weeks ago. "He said ‘If you’re going to draft me, I’m going to make your team.’"

I think he might will himself on to the team

[EVERLAST]

If he is half as tenacious as his old man I'll be happy.

Glad he's here

[Split98]

I won't be upset if he doesn't!

Go Knights Go!

[sun]

Draisaitl's skating was also considered his weakness. Definitely didn't seem slow when I watched him last season. Skating can be fixed.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I think he does.

[N26]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I say yes. Only because he's absolutely lit up Jrs for two seasons now. He can't learn much else down there. Therefore, if he can outplay some vets...well why not.

He only played 1 year of junior unless you count the 20 or so games the USNDTP team plays in the USHL.

And he did it on a stacked team playing with 2 top prospects. Unless he absolutely forces his way on to the team I say send him back to get better (skating), stronger and have a leadership role. Let's see how he does without Marner and Dvorak

[N-E-B]

I could see this being another Monahan situation. Not very deep on the wing so he definitely has a shot. I'm ecstatic we got him at 6, especially knowing we were trying to trade up to draft him.

[azzarish]

I think so yes. Exciting times.